Utah Valley tops Govs in Dr Pepper Classic

Utah Valley tops Govs in Dr Pepper Classic

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Center Ben Aird scored 26 points to lead Utah Valley University to an 84-77 win over Austin Peay in the opening game Friday of the Dr Pepper Classic.

The Wolverines (7-8) advanced to the championship game for the second straight year by dominating the Governors (4-9) inside.

Utah Valley scored 42 points in the paint and limited Austin Peay to 18. The Governors, led by 27 points from Travis Betran, shot 12-of-25 from the 3-point line.

"We were finally able to chase them off the 3-point line, where they were amazing," Utah Valley coach Dick Hunsaker said. "We had great ball movement and kept an eye on the post. I liked our aggressiveness."